Economics of Local Cow Milk Products Marketing in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examined the local cow milk products marketing in Nigeria, using Kwara as a case study. Specifically, the study appraised socio-economic characteristics of local cow milk products marketers, the marketing profile and identified problems limiting marketing activities for local cow milk products. For the study 75 respondents were surveyed across the study area while data gathered were analysed using marketing margin and marketing efficiency analyses. Results show that only women were marketers of local cow milk products. The marketing chain for the commodity is simple and crude. It starts from the raw cow milk processors through retailers to the consumer. Local cow milk products include cheese: fried and raw, ‘nono’ (sour-milk), ‘mai sanu’(local butter) and ‘ori-amo’. However these products were poorly packaged. Estimated average marketing margin was ı90.6 per kg of processed milk while the estimated marketing efficiency is 115.5%. Most respondents sourced their marketing funds solely from their meager personal savings. Problems militating against the local milk products marketing were lack of efficient storage facilities and the seasonal supply/availability of cow milk. Considering the study findings, there is the need for stake-holders in the milk market to work out necessary improvements in the quality of local cow milk products. Researches and relevant efforts aimed at increasing cow milk yields in the study area should be stepped up so as to facilitate raw milk availability. Better processing equipment for the local milk processing activities should also be researched into. There is also the need to provide credit facilities to local cow milk processors and traders alike as this will go a long way to supplement marketer’s personal savings.Key words: retailers, consumers, marketing margin, marketing efficiency, personal saving

Egg Farming Business in Kwara State, How Profitable?

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Resource use efficiency in garri processing in some selected Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study examined the productivity of the resources used in Garri processing in some selected Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. Data were collected through the use of a well structured questionnaire administered to eighty (80) randomly selected respondents (processors) in this area of study. This is to determine; the resource use efficiency, the socio-economic characteristics of the processors, the cost and returns and also to isolate the major factors influencing Garri processing in the State. The data collected were analysed using both the descriptive and econometric techniques as tools of analysis. The results showed that, labour (x1), operating capital (x2) and land (x4) were the major factors influencing the output of processed Garri in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Garri processing in the area was also found to be profitable with an average net farm income of about N24,445.63 per month while the capital turnover also indicated that for every N1.00 invested in this enterprise a return of 36kobo is expected. This might be attributed to the increase in the demand for this commodity and its by-products in the world market. It is therefore recommended that a conducive environment should be provided to both the producers and processors for its sustainability at the production, processing and marketing levels. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 105-11

Gross margin analysis of maize-based cropping systems in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study aims at determining the profitability of Maize–based cropping systems in Oyo State. One hundred and twenty farmers were randomly selected from purposively chosen three Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Statistical techniques were employed as analytical tools. The result indicates that maize–based cropping systems in the study area were profitable with positive gross margins for the three identified major cropping systems in the State (maize/yam, maize/cassava, and maize/soybeans).Keywords: maize-based cropping systems, gross margin analysis, profitabilityInternational Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 5 2004: 129-13

Technical efficiency of local dairy milk processing in Kwara State, North Central, Nigeria

This study examined the profitability and technical efficiency of local dairy milk processing in Kwara State using budgetary analysis and stochastic frontier model. Data set for the study was obtained through a randomly selected one hundred nomadic households in the state. The results of the budgetary analysis showed that local dairy milk processing was profitable in the study area with a net farm income of N683.25 per day. Results of the stochastic frontier efficiency model revealed the percentage efficiency to be 50-95 per cent with a mean of 76 per cent. The level of education of the nomadic household heads, the household size, as well as the years of experience in milk processing significantly reduced the inefficiency of local dairy milk processing in the study area. Improvement in the level of education of the milk processors will have positive implication on their technical efficiency.Keywords: Technical efficiency, costs and returns, local milk processing, nomadic households, stochastic frontier model

Determinants Of Egg Production In Kwara State, Nigeria

The study aims to identify the determinants of egg production in Kwara state. Primary data were collected from eighty poultry egg farmers selected randomly from one hundred and five registered egg farms in the state using a set of structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The analysis revealed presence of multicollinearity among the explanatory variables. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the influence of multicollinearity and the results obtained showed that the four variables explained ninety per cent variation in egg output. Policy aimed at increasing egg production should center on these four variables. It is further suggested that a hatchery be established in the state. Key words: Determinants, egg production, principal component analysis Journal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol.4(1) 2004: 95-10

Economics Of Honey Production In Nigeria: Implications For Poverty Reduction And Rural Development

Promotion of rural income generating activities continues to gain widespread support in rural development discourse in developing countries. Honey production has been identified as having the potential to provide employment and reduce poverty among rural households in Nigeria. This paper analyzes the economics of honey production in Oyo state, Nigeria. The analysis builds on survey data collected in 2006, from selected beekeepers in five local government areas of the state. The result indicates that honey production is very profitable with a gross income of 890 naira per litre (US $7) and 4888 naira per man-day (US$ 41) on average. Econometric analysis shows that number of hives, labour and fixed assets have significant impact on honey output. It is recommended that appropriate policies should be targeted at encouraging the participation of rural dwellers in beekeeping and providing accessible credit to beekeepers to reduce poverty and foster rural development. Keywords: honey production, poverty reduction, rural developmentGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (2) 2007: pp. 23-2

Efficiency Of Resources Used In Yam-Based Cropping Systems In Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria

The efficiency and profitability of yam-based cropping systems in Ekiti State was investigated using 120 randomly selected farming households. Descriptive statistics, costs and returns and regression model were employed as analytical tools. The results revealed yam-based cropping systems were profitable in the study area with return per hectare highest in yam/maize system and lowest in yam/pepper system. Return on capital employed washowever highest in yam/vegetable/maize system with capital turnover of 86kobo per a naira invested in the enterprise. Regression results revealed labour in mandays, farm size and other variable inputs as the significant factors influencing yam production in the area. These are targets for policy formulation.Keywords: Yam-based cropping systems, profitability, resource-use efficienc